#Chapter 109 – Civil War

“And it doesn’t hurt,” I whisper, horrified and fascinated, “that you already took the power from your father once.” My mind returns, suddenly, to how Christian got the Mafia King title from the media anyway – he’s the one who took over control of his family when his dad got sick – not his older brother. “Bingo,” Christian replies, pointing his finger at me like a gun and making a little clicking sound with his tongue. “Dad wanted a way to get me out anyway. This was just…the catalyst he was waiting for.” My heart sinks and I look down at my plate because…I mean, because I’m at the center of this, aren’t I? I’m the catalyst. If Christian didn’t have to keep me a secret… “If it wasn’t you, Iris,” Christian says, and I look up to see him leaning closer to me, his face earnest. “It would have been something else. Don’t take this on your shoulders.” I do as he says, nodding once, believing him and squaring my shoulders as if literally shaking it off. Because Christian’s right – his fa